IRVING, Texas - The University of Dallas baseball team has spent the past couple weeks working during its non-traditional season in the fall. Last Sunday was the annual Alumni Game, which had 25 former Crusaders play against the current squad. Photos from the event can be found here.

The 2020 roster expects to have a significantly different look from recent seasons, as the Crusaders graduated eight players last May and have brought in 13 newcomers. These new faces played if healthy last Sunday in the Alumni battle and will be among the group of players that introduce themselves this Saturday for the 2019 UD Baseball Family Weekend. 

Jonathan Morales 

Hometown/High School (or Previous School): Early, TX/Early High School

Honors & Awards:

• 1st Team All-District(18-19)
• Offensive MVP(18-19)
• 1st Team Academic All-State(18-19)
• 2nd Team All-Big Country
•  FCA All-Star Starter (19) 

Why UD? I chose UD because I wanted a good liberal arts education to help propel me into life with a good degree and career, along with the chance to continue to play the game I love at a high level.

Javier Valenzuela 

Hometown/High School (or Previous School): Irving, TX/Faustina Academy 

Honors & Awards:

• 2nd team District (18 & 19), Offensive MVP (19) 
• Academic All-State (18 & 19)

Why UD? I had a lot of family who came here, the business school is one of the best in the country, with the education I get I could go into whatever field I wanted and I get to continue playing baseball.

Noe Ureste 

Hometown/High School (or Previous School): Stanton, TX/Stanton High School

Honors & Awards:

• 1st Team All-District OF ('17)
• 1st Team All-District 1B ('18)
• 1st Team All-Area 1B ('19)
• 1st Team Academic All-State ('19)

Why UD? I chose UD because of the opportunities it presented. On the academic side, I will receive a top-tier education that will allow me to be successful in the future. On the baseball side, I'm offered a chance to continue playing the game I love.

Anthony Maldonado

Hometown/High School (or Previous School): Del Rio, Texas/Del Rio High 

Honors & Awards: 

• 2nd Team All-District OF ('18)
• 1st Team All-District OF ('19)
• Team MVP ('18 & '19)
• Academic All-District (18' & 19')

Why UD? I chose the University of Dallas to further my academic and athletic career. Academically, this University provides an amazing Business program which I plan on getting a degree in. Athletically, I was blessed with the opportunity to learn and play the game I love.

Tommy Hall

Hometown/High School (or Previous School): Shawnee, KS/Shawnee Mission Northwest

Why UD?: I chose UD because of the opportunity to get a high level education, continue playing baseball, and to grow in my Catholic faith.

Graeme Williams

Hometown/High School (or Previous School): Frisco, TX/Lone Star High School

Honors & Awards:

• 2nd Team All-District Catcher (2018)
• 1st Team All-District Catcher (2019)

 Why UD? I chose UD due to its high morale and academic standards. UD will give me the opportunity to get a degree while playing the game I love, both at a very high level of competition.

Jacob Reece

Hometown/High School (or Previous School): Keller, Texas/International Leadership of Texas KSHS

Honors & Awards: 

• 1st team All State (2018) 
• 1st Team All Region (2019)

Why UD? I chose UD because of its great academic standards as well as its outstanding classical education, as well as being able to continue playing the game I love for four more years.

Matthew Celentano

Previous School: Beloit College 

Why UD? I chose UD because of the tremendous academic programs as well as the coaching staff and baseball program built here. It's the best place for me to grow and develop in every part of my life, challenging me to reach my full potential. 

Mavrick Martinez

Hometown/High School (or Previous School): Friendswood, Texas/Bay Area Christian School

Honors & Awards:

• 1st team All District SS 2018 & 2019
• 2018 and 2019 All State Team
• 2019 BACS Captain Award
• 2019 BACS Leadership Award

Why UD? I chose the University of Dallas for its academic reputation, small college environment, and the opportunity to play college baseball.

Ross Lowe

Hometown/High School (or Previous School): Lewisville, TX/UTRGV

Why UD? I chose UD because of its great academic reputation, as well as being able to continue my collegiate baseball career.

Xavier Cardenas

Hometown/High School (or Previous School): Dallas & Mesquite High School

Honors & Awards:

• 2nd Team All-District 

Why UD? I decided to attend UD because of the academic rigor it has a reputation for. I also chose UD because I am a Dallas native, and I wanted to play collegiate baseball. 

Tim Andre

Hometown/High School (or Previous School): Keller, TX/Knox College

Why UD? I chose UD because I wanted to be challenged in the classroom and in my faith while having the ability to continue to play college baseball.